A Personal Trainer Addresses Most Common Workout Questions

As a certified personal trainer, part of my commitment to clients is
consulting with them. This includes answering their many fitness and
diet questions. Needless to say, I get asked a lot of questions. And,
there are

Lynn Bode

As a certified personal trainer, part of my commitment to clients is
consulting with them. This includes answering their many fitness and
diet questions. Needless to say, I get asked a lot of questions. And,
there are several questions that seem to be on almost everyone's minds. The answers to these top eight inquiries can help most anyone get a jump
start on reaching their weight loss and fitness goals.

1. I want to tone and tighten my legs (or stomach, or arms, etc). What
exercises can I do to lose fat there and get them toned?

Answer: You
can't spot reduce. It is necessary for you to reduce the fat in your
trouble area before you will see big results from your strength training
exercises. You must burn calories and fat through cardiovascular
activities. This includes such things as walking, jogging, step
aerobics, jumping rope, swimming etc. But, while cardio is critical you
should also include strength training exercises to help build muscles
and tone your trouble area simultaneously.

2. I really want to workout and get in-shape, but I just don't have the
time. What should I do?

Answer: You are not alone. One of the top
reasons people give for not working out is lack of time. The first step
is to realize that it's not that you don't have the time, but that you
are not making it a priority in your schedule.

What people don't realize
is that it doesn't take a huge time commitment to reap the many rewards
of regular exercise. Many people think that if they can't workout
several hours a week, then they might as well not workout at all. But,
exercising even just a couple of days a week is far better than not
exercising at all. The key is finding a truly effective and efficient
workout plan.

3. What is the best fitness program for losing weight?

Answer: The key
to a successful program is that it is comprehensive and includes the
necessary pieces. There are three major components of a good weight loss
program: cardio, strength training and stretching. It's equally
important to include all three components. For example, you could do
cardio three times per week, strength training twice per week and stretch
before and after every workout.

4. I have hit a plateau and can't seem to get the scale to budge (or
can't get any stronger). Can you help me?

Answer: The key to breaking
through a plateau is change. One of the best techniques for overcoming a
plateau is Interval training. This is a type of training that includes
bursts of high intensity periods followed by lower intensity recovery
times. You'll also want to change your workout routine at least every
four to six weeks.

5. What size weights should I train with and how many reps should I
complete?

Answer: There's no one size fits all weight size that is best.
The size of weight you use depends on your goals, skills, past fitness
experience, etc. A good rule of thumb is to start with about 70 percent maximum
resistance with eight to 12 reps and one to three sets.

To determine your specific 70 percent
maximum size, you must first determine the maximum amount of weight you
can lift. However, it's typically not recommended that beginners attempt
to lift their maximum amount of weight, for safety reasons. So, another
simpler option is to choose a weight size that provides fatigue after
the eight to 12th rep is completed.

6. Is it bad for your body to workout some of the same muscle groups
daily?

Answer: Typically you should allow your muscle to rest about 48
hours before working it again. This is the safest approach and also the
most efficient approach for improving strength.

7. How often should I stretch and should I stretch before or after
working out?

Answer: Actually, it's best to stretch both times. If you
have the time, your body will really benefit from stretching both before
you start exercising and again after your workout. At the very least, be
sure to stretch after you have completed your workout. As far as
frequency, even if you don't workout every day it is very beneficial to
include a stretching routine daily.

8. How can I workout at home because I don't belong to a gym?

Answer:
There are many, many options for strength training and cardio workouts
that don't require a trip to the gym. If you have dumbbells, a
resistance band, or an exercise stability ball, there are literally
hundreds of exercises that you can do at home. With these exercises you
can increase your muscular strength, muscular endurance plus of course
get a more defined look in your physical appearance. For cardio workouts
you can simply walk outside or at an indoor location, stair climb,
jumping jacks, etc.